Back in 1969, a radio station owner in Philadelphia bought the rocket-shooting, passenger-ejecting Aston Martin DB5 used in the James Bond movies Goldfinger and Thunderball for a reported $12,000. Recently, he sold that car at RM's London auction for $4.6 million.

The buyer was Harry Yaeggy, who will show the car at his museum in Ohio.

"The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years," Lee said. Now, however, Lee added, the car will do good things for people around the world; proceeds from the sale will go to criminology study centers Lee established at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cambridge.

While the James Bond car was the star of RM's London auction, it was just one of eight cars that sold for a $1 million or more. The other million-dollar cars, selling for $1.1-$1.8 million, were the only Jeancart-style 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 teardrop coupe, one of only 15 2010 Pagani Zonda Rs, a 1931 Bentley 8-liter open tourer with original bodywork by Harrison, a 1966 Ferrari 365 California Spyder, a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SVJ, a 1972 Miura SV, and a 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 competition berlinetta.

Overall, 92 of 106 vehicles sold at RM for more than $30 million.

American Muscle on the Block

American muscle will be on the block at two upcoming auctions. On November 5-6, Mecum Auctions distributes the Bob McDorman Collection at Canal Winchester, Ohio, and on November 13, RM sells the Milton Robson Collection at Gainesville, Georgia.

McDorman's collection of 150 cars includes a Chevrolet Corvette from every model year, with a dozen of those cars being the first produced that model year. The collection includes the 1963 'Vettes built for GM executive Bunkie Knudsen and his wife, Florence.

Robson's 55-car collection features American muscle cars – including three Pontiac GTO Judge convertibles -- and several original Ford Flathead V8s.

RM Adds Villa D'Este Auction

At its London auction, RM announced it will join BMW Group Classic and Grandhotel Villa d'Este to stage a classic car auction in conjunction with the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como beginning in May, 2011.

The new auction will be held on an every-other-year basis, alternating with RM's Sporting Classics of Monaco held in conjunction with the historic grand prix race at Monte Carlo.

Russo and Steele Updates

On October 27, Russo and Steele announced that claims against it in the aftermath of a storm that caused extensive damage to cars awaiting auction have been dismissed or dropped in a ruling by an Arizona superior court judge. Litigation continues against the company from which Russo and Steele rented the tents that collapsed during the storm.

On November 1, Russo and Steele announced its 2011 event (January 19-23) will remain in Scottsdale but will move from its former location to the intersection of the Loop 101 freeway and Hayden Road, will feature more asphalt, better drainage and a new main auction structure by Losberger, a German company with 90 years of experience in tent-style aluminum and steel-framed structures.

The warranty program for classic cars at auction was put together by Brea, California classic car dealership K&S Cars and AUL (Associates Underwriting Limited), another California company that has been doing any year/any mileage service contracts good for all 50 states and Canada for the past two decades.

Bob and Chris Koontz and their partner Bill Borthwick were at the classic car auctions in Arizona in January when they realized that an AUL powertrain warranty might enhance a car's sales appeal. They discussed their idea with auctioneer Keith McCormick, and the program makes its debut at his event.

After a car is inspected, for $798 a consignor can buy a transferable 12-month/12,000-mile powertrain warranty that covers all lubricated parts, even seals and gaskets, as well as the transmission and differential. The warranty also includes roadside service for things such as keys locked in the car, running out of gas and a dead battery. The roadside service includes up to 150 miles of towing. (There are some exclusions, such as exotic European sports cars and some supercharged engines, though boosted crate engines are covered).

The McCormick event begins November 18 with the Great American Celebrity Classic Car Road Rally from the Automobile Driving Museum near Los Angeles to the auction venue, the Spa Resort and Casino in Palm Springs. This year, the rally honors the late Tony Curtis, star of the 1965 movie, The Great Race, which serves as inspiration for the rally.

Giving Thanks for Classic Car Chases

You've eaten the turkey and watched the football games, now what? Turn the television to the SPEED channel Thanksgiving night and watch the special presentation of Hollywood's Hottest Car Chases, with two hours of movie magic featuring 40 car chases, including those from Bullitt, The French Connection and The Bourne Identity.

"The expression ‘cut to the chase' came to mind and we decided to take it literally," said SPEED's vice-president of programming, Robert Ecker.

"It is going to be a fun, adrenaline soaked, fast-moving show that puts you on the edge of your seat as you watch each one," added Joey Allen, vp of production for Pangolin Pictures, which produced the show.

In addition to replaying more than three-dozen car chases, the show will look at how the chases evolved through time and will go behind the scenes to look at the planning involved.

Shelby's Birthday Bash

Shelby American plans a big celebration in January, 2011 for Carroll Shelby's 88th birthday. The Shelby Vegas Bash is scheduled January 13-16 at the Aliante hotel and casino, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Shelby American manufacturing facility and will include track time, a cruise-in, car show, factory tours and more. For information, visit www.shelbyvegasbash.com.

Goodguys Set 2011 Schedule

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has announced a 21-event calendar for 2011 for rods, customs, classics and muscle cars through 1972, as well as three "Get Togethers" for American-powered classics of all vintages in northern California: